Postal prices slated to change Jan. 27

January 4, 2013

Beginning Jan. 27, the cost of a one-ounce, First-Class postage stamp will increase by one penny, to 46 cents. The new 46 cent Forever stamps will allow customers to mail letters to any location in the United States. Forever stamps are

always good for mailing a one-ounce letter anytime in the future regardless of price changes.

Procrastinators who haven't sent their annual holiday greetings will want to stock up on Forever stamps at the 45 cent rate prior to the rate change.

The Postal Service will also introduce a First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp. The new stamp will allow customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10.

Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail pricing include:

n Letters (1oz.) 1-cent increase to 46 cents

n Letters additional ounces unchanged at 20 cents

n Letters to all international destinations (1oz.) - $1.10

n Postcards 1-cent increase to 33 cents

Prices for all products (Mailing and Shipping services) will increase by 4-percent, but prices for Mailing Services, such as regular letters and advertising matter, will increase only 2.6-percent.

Shipping Services

Several new Shipping Services products will be available in January. Free tracking will be offered to all competitive packages, including retail Priority Mail and Parcel Post (recently renamed Standard Post). Customers shipping Critical Mail letters and large envelopes will have the option of receiving a signature upon delivery as part of the service offering.

A large variety of flat-rate boxes and envelopes for Express Mail and Priority Mail, including the padded and legal-sized flat rate envelopes will continue to be offered by the Postal Service. New domestic retail pricing for Priority Mail Flat Rate products include:

n Small box $5.80

n Medium box $12.35

n Large box $16.85

n Large APO/FPO box $14.85

n Regular envelope $5.60

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Mr. Zip's Tip:

The U.S. Postal Service has established a unique Post Office Box address to allow employees and the public to send condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut last week. Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown

PO Box 3700

Newtown CT 06470

Thousands of letters are pouring in from around the world.

Through letters and cards, families will be able to hold that friendship in their hands and to read those kind words at a time and place that supports their pace of healing.